Two Texas professors who closely follow gambling issues said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and other Texas politicians could block its passage in the Senate.
According to a political scientist, blocking the bill in the Senate will require the opposition of several Texas politicians.
When asked if Senator Cornyn could block the bill’s approval, Rottinghaus told Casino.org, “He [Cornyn] is not powerful enough on his own.” “However, the chorus of Texas officials who oppose it… makes it that much more difficult to pass easily.”
“The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta tribes are the only tribes in the country prohibited from Class II gaming. They are also denied economic opportunities that would allow them to succeed and generate revenue for infrastructure,” said US Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, who introduced the federal bill.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory(IGRA) Act allows Electronic bingo by the Kickapoo tribe. The other two tribes, however, are exempt from the IGRA’s provisions.
According to the Morning News, the federal government recognized them in 1987 under the Indian Tribes of Texas Restoration Act.
No Effect on Texas Commercial Casino Debate
Considering whether commercial casinos will be approved in Texas, Jones says the legislation affecting the two tribes “will have no bearing on the future of Class III casinos in Texas.”
Even when they are open, these casinos are small operations that are nothing like the destination casinos that groups like the Las Vegas Sands Corporation have been advocating for in Texas,” Jones continued.
Moreover, legislators in the state are currently considering bills that would allow residents to vote on whether to permit commercial casinos. Such legislation is difficult to pass this year.
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